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Marino awarded for nurturing inside, outside classroom

By David Gonnerman '90
June 9, 2006

The Division of Student Life at St. Olaf has named Gordon Marino, professor of philosophy and curator of the Kierkegaard Library, the 2006 recipient of the Gertrude Hilleboe Award for Faculty Involvement in Student Life. Marino received special recognition during the college's recent end-of-year picnic for faculty and staff and his name has been added to the award plaque in the Dean of Students Office.

Marino, who came to St. Olaf in 1995 and also has served as an assistant football coach, was described by one staffer who nominated him for the award as being "one of the most accessible, involved and caring faculty at St. Olaf. I have known a number of students who... claim that it was Professor Marino's willingness to listen and his offer of guidance that helped them weather rough times."

Marino-BoxingClub
A former boxer himself, Gordon Marino (left) gives advice to Karl "Kip" Pennau '04 during a session of the St. Olaf Boxing Club that Marino formed in 2002.
"It's been a privilege to be allowed into the lives of St. Olaf students outside the classroom," says Marino, who will leave St. Olaf to assume a position on the faculty at the College of Human Health and Performance at the University of Florida in the fall. "There are students who were very quiet in class and whom I never would have gotten to know were it not for the time I got to share with them in boxing [Marino formed the college's boxing club in 2002] or football or something else," he explains. "Some students open up in non-classroom settings and you get a glimpse into the landscape of their minds that you would have never have gotten otherwise."

With pressure on faculty to publish while at the same time being the "perfect teacher," notes Marino, it can be difficult to find the time to be involved with students outside the lecture hall -- an essential element when striving to educate the whole person. "I am very grateful to St. Olaf for having given me the flexibility to get involved in different dimensions of student life."

Marino has been one of the college's most widely published faculty members, with his work -- sports and boxing are favorite themes -- appearing regularly in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Star Tribune and other major papers across the nation. He also has written for magazines like the Atlantic Monthly and Christian Century. His most recent book, Kierkegaard in the Present Age, was published in 2001.

The award, first given in 1998, is named after Hilleboe in honor of her commitment to students during her more than 40 years as a St. Olaf faculty member and dean of women. Hilleboe was well known for the interest she took in the many students who came in contact with her as well as her dedication to the St. Olaf community.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.